In my original post about safer feminine hygiene products, I said that I was having problems with my Diva Cup. Although I loved the function of the cup, despite my less common difficulties with its effectiveness, it was causing problems.
Allergies manifest themselves in really unpleasant ways. In the case of the Diva Cup (TMI here?), this was itching, smell, and discharge, both internally and externally. I suspected that the cause was likely the Diva Wash. Diva Wash ingredients are as follows:
Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Sodium Methyl 2-Sulfolaurate (and) Disodium 2-Sulfolaurate, Glyceryl Caprylate/Caprate, Sodium Chloride, Potassium Sorbate, Orange Oil.
This wash contained none of my outright allergens, though the orange oil could contain compounds to which I am allergic, and there are certainly other potential allergens in the wash. Regardless of this suspicion, I was feeling itchy and uncomfortable and so I decided to stop using the Diva Cup until a time when I might be willing to try again.
That day came this past month. Suspecting the Diva Wash as the culprit, I washed the cup twice with plain, safe bar soap before use. Four days later, after near-constant cup use, only washing with plain bar soap, I had no adverse symptoms whatsoever. I could finally use my Diva Cup safely again! Anyone who has heavy periods like I do and has tried a cup-type menstrual product can understand that relief.
If you have had a problem with a reusable menstrual product, and already exhausted disposables, don’t give up. It is always possible that the problem isn’t the product but the treatment of it.
I have been having trouble with my silicone moon cup. Itching, irritation, redness and swelling at the point of entry. I have used the cup for the last 4 or 5 years with great success… until now.
I am newly discovering my allergies and on the wait list for patch test. However, due to my reactions to elastane and polyester (yes, even threads) and these symptoms being exacerbated when I eat PG containing products, I strongly suspect PG/PEG. I haven’t ever used a commercial menstrual cup wash, just plain soap or baking soda. I figured I may be allergic to silicone as well and I just placed an order for the latex “keeper”. Here’s hoping I won’t have any adverse symptoms with that one! Since I’m having trouble with glycols, I didn’t think it was unusual to have a problem with the cup as well. It’s all plastic, after all.
Thanks so much for your blog posts. They are really helping me to find healing in my own life.
All the best,
Christie